There are hundreds of treadmills out there. They vary in price, features, durability, maintenance requirements, power source, running surface material, and size. But the most crucial difference between all those models is how they are powered. There are three main types of treadmills:
A manual treadmill requires you to power it yourself by pushing against the belt. They are inexpensive, can be folded for storage, and are suitable for walking or jogging at prolonged speeds. The disadvantages of manual treadmills are that they take up a lot of room and require some “sweat equity” on your part.
Electric treadmills come with a motor drive already built in – all you need to provide is the running surface (flat ground like a basketball court or asphalt) and an electrical cord (110-volt outlet). Compared to manually powered models, electric treadmills are small, easy to store, and affordable. Because of these features, electric treadmills are the most common type on the market.
The disadvantages of electric (powered) treadmills are that you can’t use them without power (that’s why they’re called powered), especially if you want to put some real effort into your workout; also, there is an additional electricity cost involved.
A motorized treadmill is the most expensive option. They are equipped with a large, heavy, and powerful electric engine that powers both the belt and incline of the treadmill; they’re essentially self-propelled. All you need to do is adjust the speed/incline settings, sit down on your favorite spot on the running deck and start walking or jogging in place while being propelled forward by an electric engine. The disadvantages of motorized treadmills are that they cost more than manual or electric-powered models, plus they tend to be pretty noisy when operating at full throttle.
Picking out a treadmill can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for, so check out this list of features to help you narrow down your choices.
Before you buy a treadmill, take some time to research the different features available on multiple models once you learn about what these features do and how they can better suit your needs, finding that perfect treadmill will be much easier.
